Frost dates for 78842Del Rio, TX
The average last spring frost in Del Rio is February 19 and the average first fall frost is December 4, giving a typical growing season of about 290 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 4
- Growing season
- 290 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 16 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 38 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 4 · Mar 25 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 8 | 263 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 24 · Feb 19 · Mar 11 | Nov 16 · Dec 4 · Dec 20 | 290 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 25 · Jan 31 · Mar 1 | Nov 28 · Dec 19 · Jan 20 | 327 days | 95% |
Planting calendar for Del Rio
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 8 – Jan 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Feb 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 24 – Dec 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 78842 is matched to the NOAA station Del Rio 4Nw, TX, 0.8 km away, at 1,051 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Rio 4Nw, TX (used) | 1,051 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Del Rio Intl Ap, TX | 999 ft | Feb 16 | Dec 3 |
| Amistad Dam, TX | 1,157 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 6 |
| Carta Valley, TX | 1,851 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Del Rio
- Del Rio, TX 78840 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Laughlin Afb, TX 78843 · last Feb 16, first Dec 3
- Comstock, TX 78837 · last Mar 10, first Nov 16
- Brackettville, TX 78832 · last Mar 5, first Nov 24
- Quemado, TX 78877 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Langtry, TX 78871 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Eagle Pass, TX 78852 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Barksdale, TX 78828 · last Mar 12, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Del Rio, TX?
- For ZIP code 78842, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Del Rio 4Nw, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Del Rio, TX?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 78842?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 290 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.